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speech cut off

English translation: The dash is the right way


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09:05 Sep 25, 2011
English to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
English term or phrase: speech cut off
In a book's dialogue, when a person is speaking and is cut off by a second speaker, is there another correct way (another option) for expressing it besides the dash? (By the way, I can't do a proper dash here, but those two hyphens are supposed to be connected to form a long dash.) Thank you bunches!

"Did he go to--"
"No!"
Joyce A
Thailand
Local time: 09:09
English translation:The dash is the right way
Explanation:
Yes, it's an em-dash

An ellipsis ... would more mean the person was tailing off rather than being interrupted or breaking off suddenly.
Selected response from:

Liz Broomfield
United Kingdom
Grading comment
Thank you, Liz!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +9The dash is the right way
Liz Broomfield


  

Answers


14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +9
The dash is the right way


Explanation:
Yes, it's an em-dash

An ellipsis ... would more mean the person was tailing off rather than being interrupted or breaking off suddenly.

Liz Broomfield
United Kingdom
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 28
Grading comment
Thank you, Liz!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jessie L.
12 mins
  -> Thank you!

agree  Jenni Lukac: Good explanation.
17 mins
  -> Thank you!

agree  Charles Davis
46 mins
  -> Thank you!

agree  Tony M: And it's Alt + [num]151 for an em-dash ;-)
1 hr
  -> Thank you!

agree  Stephanie Ezrol
2 hrs
  -> Thank you!

agree  LaraBarnett: Agree, but isn't an em dash the longer type that the one in explanation?
8 hrs
  -> Thanks and yes indeed - but it's called an em-dash not an em--dash ...

agree  ClaraVal
10 hrs
  -> Thank you!

agree  Thayenga
19 hrs
  -> Thank you!

agree  Tomy Goh
1 day2 hrs
  -> Thank you!
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